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Fags and hookers

Posted by Lotg on October 15, 2004

In Reply to: Fag-paper? posted by TheFallen on October 14, 2004

: : : : : : Which is preferred?
: : : : : : She was fast asleep!
: : : : : : or
: : : : : : She was sound asleep!
: : : : : : We have divided opinions here and would appreciate any and all input.

: : : : : I hadn't thought of this before but I think, "fast asleep" is that she's fully asleep.

: : : : : "Sound asleep" implies she's in a deep sleep.

: : : : : The difference if there is any is very slight so I'd think either way of saying it would do.

: : : : I haven't given it any thought until now either. I am not sure, but I think I probably use them very much interchangeably - no doubt I will now be shown to be unspeakably sloppy!

: : : 'fast' is used in the sense of 'tightly' or 'resolutely' (think 'fastened') - and 'sound' is being used in the sense of 'solid' or 'reliable' - there is not a fag-paper of difference between the usages when applied to sleep (IMO).
: : : both are entirely acceptable meaning completely asleep.
: : : I like 'comatose' myself.

: : : zzzzzz.

: : What is the meaning and origin of that? It sounds derogatory.

:
: Fag is Brit slang for cigarette... therefore "fagpaper" = "roll your own" cigarette paper - think Rizlas here. "Not a fagpaper of difference" = hardly any difference, since fagpaper is so thin.

Yes it's funny how terms evolve and change meaning completely. When I was young, fags were always cigarettes, but now I doubt anyone would dare to call them fags, given the term is now used in a derogative way to describe gay men. Another word that has made that transition in my memory is 'hooker'. When I was young 'hooker' was a rugby term and nothing else, but with American TV, that can be interpreted to mean a prostitute. Although it's still a Rugby term and hooker isn't really a word we use much here in reference to women on the game.

We have a large real estate chain here called L.J. Hooker Pty Ltd. Because they're real estate and big, they have big advertising signs all around. I remember an American friend who was visiting thought it was very amusing - and I had no idea why at the time.

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